I can't believe that it's finally begun

[rkep01]

Well, today Mr.Toad hopped off to the restoration shop https://www.hullcogarage.com/) for the first course in his rehabilitation. The previous owner had at one point run the left front of the car up onto a boulder or whatever and bent up the left front frame extension about 1 1/2". The bonnet also has two cracks, one on each side, near the top of the wheel arches. So, the first stage of the restoration is to fix these bits, to refit the bonnet to the front cowl and to the frame and to prime it to prevent any rust until the second stage can take place. The frame will also be checked to make sure that everything is in line, and if not it will be put right. So, it's finally happening after 42 years!! :banana:

 

[mightymidget]

The first step is the one that takes the most courage

 

[JPSmit]

congrats! Progress pics are required of course

 

[rkep01]

Yeah, I know. In my excitement, I forgot to bring the camera along to record the arrival. I've got some older photos though, that show what it looked like before I brought it there.

 

[aeronca65t]

Cool. I've never seen that place....I'll look for it next time I'm out near Branchville.
I just had a friend ask me for a resto-place in NJ (for a Bugeye, by the way). He's near Trenton, but I'll tell him about that place.

 

[rkep01]

Their restoration hourly rates ($69) are pretty good, IMO. I've seen much higher rates in other places, and the people are not quite so friendly.

 

[Deleted member 9684]

that's a great rate...i was quoted $125 in NY...!

Good luck with the restoration!

 

[rkep01]

This is Mr. Toad prior to his being brought to the restoration shop.

 

[nomad]

Bet you could beat the pants off those prices here in the midwest. Good work too. Got a pretty decent paint job plus some body work on the midget I took to "Midget 50" for $1800.

Kurt

 

[Gundy]

Great news! Good to hear you are doing it right and not
just slapping lipstick on a pig.
I don't regret for one minute having our body work done by a professional. It isn't cheap but it darn sure was worth every penny considering the end results.
My paint body stuff ended up north of $4K.
Take plenty of pics. I love pics of nasty old rust being found and then showing the proper steps being taken to remedy the
problem.
This has been done twice in our Bugeye's life and I'm very pleased to have the pics, bills etc from the prior owners work.
Fun to flip through the book with friends.
The anticipation/wait is awful.

 

[rkep01]

Problem is that I'm here in NJ. Would cost a young fortune to bring it there, what with all the traveling back and forth. It's the problem with living on either coast - Too much money around, and the restorers know that they can get it.